Pesticidal compositions containing plant essential oils against mites

ABSTRACT

Pesticidal compositions for the control of mites in stored food products containing one or more plant essential oils. In addition, the present invention is directed to a method for controlling mites from accessing stored food products by applying a pesticidally-effective amount of the above pesticidal compositions to a locus where pest control is desired.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication Serial No. 60/140,844, filed Jun. 28, 1999, the entiredisclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates, in general, to pesticidalcompositions containing plant essential oils and/or derivatives thereofagainst mites. In one aspect, the present invention relates topesticidal compositions containing one or more plant essential oilsand/or derivatives thereof to be used as a contact pesticide incontainers or cartons where food products are stored. In another aspect,the present invention relates to pesticidal compositions containing oneor more plant essential oils and/or derivatives thereof to be used as afumigant pesticide in containers or cartons where food products arestored. In a further aspect, the present invention relates to a methodfor controlling stored product pests by the application of pesticidallyeffective amounts of the pesticidal compositions to the container orcarton in which food products are stored.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Pests (invertebrates, insects, arachnids, larvae thereof, etc.)are annoying to humans for a myriad of reasons. They have annually costhumans billions of dollars in crop losses and in the expense of keepingthem under control. For example, the losses caused by pests inagricultural environments include decreased crop yield, reduced cropquality, and increased harvesting costs.

[0004] Over the years, synthetic chemical pesticides have provided aneffective means of pest control. For example, one approach teaches theuse of complex, organic insecticides, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat.Nos. 4,376,784 and 4,308,279. Other approaches employ absorbent organicpolymers for widespread dehydration of the insects. See, U.S. Pat. Nos.4,985,251; 4,983,390; 4,818,534; and 4,983,389. Use of inorganic saltsas components of pesticides has also been tried, as disclosed in U.S.Pat. Nos. 2,423,284 and 4,948,013, European Patent Application No. 462347, Chemical Abstracts 119(5):43357q (1993) and Farm ChemicalsHandbook, page c102 (1987).

[0005] However, it has become increasingly apparent that the widespreaduse of synthetic chemical pesticides has caused detrimentalenvironmental effects that are harmful to humans and other animals. Forinstance, the public has become concerned about the amount of residualchemicals that persist in food, ground water and the environment, andthat are toxic, carcinogenic or otherwise incompatible to humans,domestic animals and/or fish. Moreover, some target pests have evenshown an ability to develop immunity to many commonly used syntheticchemical pesticides. In recent times, regulatory guidelines haveencouraged a search for potentially less dangerous pesticidalcompositions via stringent restrictions on the use of certain syntheticpesticides. As a result, elimination of effective pesticides from themarket has limited economical and effective options for controllingpests. As an alternative, botanical pesticides are of great interestbecause they are natural pesticides, i.e., toxicants derived from plantsthat are safe to humans and the environment.

[0006] With respect to protecting stored food products from insects,this safety issue is even more important. Some of the major stored foodproducts affected by mites include, but are not limited to, flour,grain, wheat, barley, corn, pasta, cereal, pet food, and others. Sincethe pesticides will come in contact with the stored food products tosome extent, it is essential that the pesticides be safe for mammals anddo not persist for very long, but rather break down very easily. Storedfood products have long been suspect to mites, including mold mites,cheese mites, grain mites, and clover mites, which contaminatefoodstuffs, sometimes making it unfit for consumption, causing certainreactions in mammals that may result in terrible discomfort, and ingeneral can prove to be a terrible nuisance.

[0007] Mites can access stored food products in one of two ways. First,the mites may be in the food which is processed and packaged, then layeggs and create problems as discussed above. Secondly, the mites maypenetrate the package after the stored food products have beenprocessed, by literally eating their way into the containers or cartons.

[0008] Accordingly, there is a great need for novel pesticidalcompositions, containing no pyrethrum, synthetic pyrethroids,chlorinated hydrocarbons, organo phosphates, carbamates and the like, tobe used inside the containers or cartons for stored food products asboth a contact and fumigant pesticide against mites. In addition, thereis a need for a method of treating the containers or cartons to kill andrepel mites, thereby preserving the stored food products inside.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] A primary object of the present invention is to provide novelpesticidal compositions for containers or cartons in which food productsare stored.

[0010] Another object of the invention is to provide novel pesticidalcompositions containing one or more plant essential oils and/orderivatives thereof, natural or synthetic, as a contact pesticide incontainers or cartons against mites.

[0011] A further object of the present invention is to provide novelpesticidal compositions that contain one or more plant essential oilsand/or derivatives thereof, natural or synthetic, as a fumigantpesticide in containers or cartons against mites.

[0012] It is also an object of the present invention to provide a methodof treating the containers or cartons of stored food products to killand repel mites.

[0013] It is also an object of the present invention to provide apesticidal composition and method for mechanically, physiologicallyand/or neurally controlling mites.

[0014] It is a further object to provide a safe, non-toxic pesticidalcomposition and method that will not harm mammals or the environment.

[0015] It is still another object to provide a pesticidal compositionand method that has a pleasant scent or is unscented, and that can beapplied without burdensome safety precautions.

[0016] It is still another object to provide a pesticidal compositionand method as described above which can be inexpensively produced oremployed.

[0017] It is yet another object of the invention to provide a pesticidalcomposition and method to which pests cannot build immunity and/orresistance.

[0018] The above and other objects are accomplished by the presentinvention which is directed to pesticidal compositions comprising plantessential oils and/or derivatives thereof, natural or synthetic, inadmixture with suitable carriers. In addition, the present invention isdirected to a method for controlling mites by applying apesticidally-effective amount of the above pesticidal compositions tothe container or carton in which food products are stored.

[0019] Additional objects and attendant advantages of the presentinvention will be set forth, in part, in the description that follows,or may be learned from practicing or using the present invention. Theobjects and advantages may be realized and attained by means of theinstrumentalities and combinations particularly recited in the appendedclaims. It is to be understood that the foregoing general descriptionand the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatoryonly and are not to be viewed as being restrictive of the invention, asclaimed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] All patents, patent applications and literatures cited in thisdescription are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Inthe case of inconsistencies, the present disclosure, includingdefinitions, will prevail.

[0021] In one embodiment, the present invention provides a pesticidalcomposition comprising, in admixture with a suitable carrier andoptionally with a suitable surface active agent, comprising one or moreplant essential oil compounds and derivatives thereof, natural orsyntetic, including racemic mixtures, enantiomers, diastereomers,hydrates, salts, solvates and metabolites, etc.

[0022] Each plant essential oil or derivative thereof, comprises amonocyclic, carbocyclic ring structure having six-members andsubstituted by at least one oxygenated or hydroxyl functional moiety.Examples of plant essential oils encompassed within the presentinvention, include, but are not limited to, members selected from thegroup consisting of aldehyde C16 (pure), α-terpineol, amyl cinnamicaldehyde, amyl salicylate, anisic aldehyde, benzyl alcohol, benzylacetate, cinnamaldehyde, cinnamic alcohol, carvacrol, carveol, citral,citronellal, citronellol, p-cymene, diethyl phthalate, dimethylsalicylate, dipropylene glycol, eucalyptol (cineole), eugenol,iso-eugenol, galaxolide, geraniol, guaiacol, ionone, menthol, methylanthranilate, methyl ionone, methyl salicylate, α-phellandrene,pennyroyal oil, perillaldehyde, 1- or 2-phenyl ethyl alcohol, 1- or2-phenyl ethyl propionate, piperonal, piperonyl acetate, piperonylalcohol, D-pulegone, terpinen-4-ol, terpinyl acetate, 4-tertbutylcyclohexyl acetate, thyme oil, thymol, metabolites oftrans-anethole, vanillin, ethyl vanillin, and the like. As these plantessential oil compounds are known and used for other uses, they may beprepared by a skilled artisan by employing known methods.

[0023] For example, in a preferred embodiment, the present invention isdirected to a pesticidal composition for controlling mites comprising aplant essential oil selected from the group consisting of 2-phenyl ethylalcohol, 2-phenyl ethyl propionate, benzyl alcohol, and trans-anethole,or a combination of same, with a suitable release agent. Data belowshows that this embodiment is highly effective, i.e. exhibited goodcontrol against mold mites in food cartons.

[0024] It will be appreciated by the skilled artisan that the pesticidalcompositions of the present invention unexpectedly exhibit excellentpesticidal activities using one or more U.S. F.D.A. approved plantessential oils, in lieu of conventional pesticides which are not safefor use in food containers or cartons. Without wishing to be bound bythe following theories, it is believed that plant essential oilsantagonize a pest's nerve receptors or may act as Phase I and/or PhaseII drug metabolizing enzyme inhibitors. Alternatively, plant essentialoils may act via an alternative mode of action. The plant essential oilsmay act as agonists or antagonists against the octopamine receptors thatare distinct to invertebrates. In any event, the net effect of thetoxicity and action of the inventive composition disclosed herein isheretofore unknown and unexpected.

[0025] Use of pesticidal compositions of the present invention generallyresults in 100% mortality on contact, and provides equivalent fumigantaction for extended periods of time. As such, they are advantageouslyemployed as pesticidal agents in uses such as, without limitation,containers and cartons for stored food products such as flour, grain,wheat, barley, corn, pasta, cereal, pet food, and others.

[0026] The pesticidal compositions herein are so chemically inert thatthey are compatible with substantially any other constituents of storedfood products, and they may be used safely in the either the preparationof food products, or the application to the container or carton afterprocessing and/or packaging of the food products.

[0027] The term “carrier” as used herein means an inert or fluidmaterial, which may be inorganic or organic and of synthetic or naturalorigin, with which the active compound is mixed or formulated tofacilitate its application to the container or carton or other object tobe treated, or its storage, transport and/or handling. In general, anyof the materials customarily employed in formulating pesticides,herbicides, or fungicides, are suitable. The inventive pesticidalcompositions of the present invention may be employed alone or in theform of mixtures with such solid and/or liquid dispersible carriervehicles and/or other known compatible active agents such as otherpesticides, or acaricides, nematicides, fungicides, bactericides,rodenticides, herbicides, fertilizers, growth-regulating agents, etc.,if desired, or in the form of particular dosage preparations forspecific application made therefrom, such as solutions, emulsions,suspensions, powders, pastes, and granules which are thus ready for use.The pesticidal compositions of the present invention can be formulatedor mixed with, if desired, conventional inert pesticide diluents orextenders of the type usable in conventional pesticide formulations orcompositions, e.g. conventional pesticide dispersible carrier vehiclessuch as gases, solutions, emulsions, suspensions, emulsifiableconcentrates, spray powders, pastes, soluble powders, dusting agents,granules, foams, pastes, tablets, aerosols, natural and syntheticmaterials impregnated with active compounds, microcapsules, coatingcompositions for use on seeds, and formulations used with burningequipment, such as fumigating cartridges, fumigating cans and fumigatingcoils, as well as ULV cold mist and warm mist formulations, etc.

[0028] Formulations containing the pesticidal compositions of thepresent invention may be prepared in any known manner, for instance byextending the pesticidal compositions with conventional pesticidedispersible liquid diluent carriers and/or dispersible solid carriersoptionally with the use of carrier vehicle assistants, e.g. conventionalpesticide surface-active agents, including emulsifying agents and/ordispersing agents, whereby, for example, in the case where water is usedas diluent, organic solvents may be added as auxiliary solvents.Suitable liquid diluents or carriers include water, petroleumdistillates, or other liquid carriers with or without surface activeagents. The choice of dispersing and emulsifying agents and the amountemployed is dictated by the nature of the composition and the ability ofthe agent to facilitate the dispersion of the pesticidal compositions ofthe present invention. Non-ionic, anionic, amphoteric, or cationicdispersing and emulsifying agents may be employed, for example, thecondensation products of alkylene oxides with phenol and organic acids,alkyl aryl sulfonates, complex ether alcohols, quaternary ammoniumcompounds, and the like.

[0029] Liquid concentrates may be prepared by dissolving a compositionof the present invention with a solvent and dispersing the pesticidalcompositions of the present inventions in water with the acid ofsuitable surface active emulsifying and dispersing agents. Examples ofconventional carrier vehicles for this purpose include, but are notlimited to, aerosol propellants which are gaseous at normal temperaturesand pressures, such as Freon; inert dispersible liquid diluent carriers,including inert organic solvents, such as aromatic hydrocarbons (e.g.benzene, toluene, xylene, alkyl naphthalenes, etc.), halogenatedespecially chlorinated, aromatic hydrocarbons (e.g. chloro-benzenes,etc.), cycloalkanes, (e.g. cyclohexane, etc.). paraffins (e.g. petroleumor mineral oil fractions), chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons (e.g.methylene chloride, chloroethylenes, etc.), alcohols (e.g. methanol,ethanol, propanol, butanol, glycol, etc.) as well as ethers and estersthereof (e.g. glycol monomethyl ether, etc.), amines (e.g. ethanolamine,etc.), amides (e.g. dimethyl formamide etc.) sulfoxides (e.g. dimethylsulfoxide, etc.), acetonitrile, ketones (e.g. acetone, methyl ethylketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, cyclohexanone, etc.), and/or water; aswell as inert dispersible finely divided solid carriers such as groundnatural minerals (e.g. kaolins, clays, vermiculite, alumina, silica,chalk, i.e. calcium carbonate, talc, attapulgite, montmorillonite,kieselguhr, etc.) and ground synthetic minerals (e.g. highly dispersedsilicic acid, silicates, e.g. alkali silicates, etc.).

[0030] Surface-active agents, i.e., conventional carrier vehicleassistants, that may be employed with the present invention include,without limitation, emulsifying agents, such as non-ionic and/or anionicemulsifying agents (e.g. polyethylene oxide esters of fatty acids,polyethylene oxide ethers of fatty alcohols, alkyl sulfates, alkylsulfonates, aryl sulfonates, albumin hydrolyzates, etc. and especiallyalkyl arylpolyglycol ethers, magnesium stearate, sodium oleate, etc.);and/or dispersing agents such as lignin, sulfite waste liquors, methylcellulose, etc.

[0031] In the preparation of wettable powders, dust or granulatedformulations, the active ingredient is dispersed in and on anappropriately divided carrier. In the formulation of the wettablepowders the aforementioned dispersing agents as well as lignosulfonatescan be included. Dusts are admixtures of the compositions with finelydivided solids such as talc, attapulgite clay, kieselguhr, pyrophyllite,chalk, diatomaceous earth, vermiculite, calcium phosphates, calcium andmagnesium carbonates, sulfur, flours, and other organic and inorganicsolids which acts carriers for the pesticide. These finely dividedsolids preferably have an average particle size of less than about 50microns. A typical dust formulation useful for controlling insectscontains 1 part of pesticidal composition and 99 parts of diatomaceousearth or vermiculite. Granules may comprise porous or nonporousparticles. The granule particles are relatively large, a diameter ofabout 400-2500 microns typically. The particles are either impregnatedor coated with the inventive pesticidal compositions from solution.Granules generally contain 0.05-15%, preferably 0.5-5%, activeingredient as the pesticidally-effective amount. Thus, the contemplatedare formulations with solid carriers or diluents such as bentonite,fullers earth, ground natural minerals, such as kaolins, clays, talc,chalk, quartz, attapulgite, montmorillonite or diatomaceous earth,vermiculite, and ground synthetic minerals, such as highly-dispersedsilicic acid, alumina and silicates, crushed and fractionated naturalrocks such as calcite, marble, pumice, sepiolite and dolomite, as wellas synthetic granules of inorganic and organic meals, and granules oforganic materials such as sawdust, coconut shells, corn cobs and tobaccostalks. Adhesives, such as carboxymethyl cellulose, natural andsynthetic polymers, (such as gum arabic, polyvinyl alcohol and polyvinylacetate), and the like, may also be used in the formulations in the formof powders, granules or emulsifiable concentrations.

[0032] If desired, colorants such as inorganic pigments, for example,iron oxide, titanium oxide and Prussian Blue, and organic dyestuffs,such as alizarin dyestuffs, azo dyestuffs or metal phthalocyaninedyestuffs, and trace elements, such as salts of iron, manganese, boron,copper, cobalt, molybdenum and zinc may be used.

[0033] In commercial applications, the present invention encompassescarrier composition mixtures in which the pesticidal compositions arepresent in an amount substantially between about 0.01-95% by weight, andpreferably 0.5-90% by weight, of the mixture, whereas carriercomposition mixtures suitable for direct application or fieldapplication generally contemplate those in which the active compound ispresent in an amount substantially between about 0.0001-10%, preferably0.01-1%, by weight of the mixture. Thus, the present inventioncontemplates over-all formulations that comprise mixtures of aconventional dispersible carrier vehicle such as (1) a dispersible inertfinely divided carrier solid, and/or (2) a dispersible carrier liquidsuch as an inert organic solvent and/or water, preferably including asurface-active effective amount of a carrier vehicle assistant, e.g. asurface-active agent, such as an emulsifying agent and/or a dispersingagent, and an amount of the active compound which is effective for thepurpose in question and which is generally between about 0.0001-95%, andpreferably 0.01-95%, by weight of the mixture.

[0034] The pesticidal compositions can also be used in accordance withso-called ultra-low-volume process, i.e. by applying such compounds orby applying a liquid composition containing the same, via very effectiveatomizing equipment, in finely divided form, e.g. average particlediameter of from 50-100 microns, or even less, i.e. mist form, forexample by airplane crop spraying techniques. In this process it ispossible to use highly concentrated liquid compositions with said liquidcarrier vehicles containing from about 20 to 95% by weight of thepesticidal compositions or even the 100% active substances alone, e.g.about 20-100% by weight of the pesticidal compositions. Theconcentration in the liquid concentrate will usually vary from about 10to 95 percent by weight and in the solid formulations from about 0.5 to90 percent by weight.

[0035] Furthermore, the present invention encompasses methods forkilling, combating or controlling pests, which comprises applying to atleast one of correspondingly (a) such pests and (b) the correspondinghabitat thereof, i.e. the locus to be protected, e.g. to a container orcarton for stored food products, a correspondingly combative, apesticidally effective amount, or toxic amount of the particularpesticidal compositions of the invention alone or together with acarrier as noted above. The instant formulations or compositions may beapplied in any suitable usual manner, for instance by spraying,atomizing, vaporizing, scattering, dusting, watering, squirting,sprinkling, pouring, fumigating, and the like. The method forcontrolling mites comprises applying the inventive composition,ordinarily in a formulation of one of the aforementioned types, to alocus or area to be protected from the insects, such as the foodcontainers or cartons. The compound, of course, is applied in an amountsufficient to effect the desired action. This dosage is dependent uponmany factors, including the targeted pest, the carrier employed, themethod and conditions of the application, whether the formulation ispresent at the locus in the form of an aerosol, or as a film, or asdiscrete particles, the thickness of film or size of particles, and thelike. Proper consideration and resolution of these factors to providethe necessary dosage of the active compound at the locus to be protectedare within the skill of those versed in the art. In general, however,the effective dosage of the compound of this invention at the locus tobe protected—i.e., the dosage with which the pest comes in contact—is ofthe order of 0.001 to 5.0% based on the total weight of the formulation,though under some circumstances the effective concentration will be aslittle as 0.0001% or as much as 20%, on the same basis.

[0036] The pesticidal compositions and methods of the present inventionare effective against a wide variety of mites and it will be understoodthat the mites exemplified and evaluated in the working Examples hereinis representative of such a wider variety. For instance, the presentinvention can be used to control mites that attack plants orwarm-blooded animals, stored products and fabrics. Representative storedproducts that can be protected from pest attack by the present inventioninclude, without limitation, grains, flour and flour products, tobaccoand tobacco products, processed foods, cereals and the like.Representative fabrics that can be protected from pest attack by theinvention are wool, cotton, silk, linen and the like.

[0037] The composition and method of the present invention will befurther illustrated in the following, non-limiting Examples. TheExamples are illustrative of various embodiments only and do not limitthe claimed invention regarding the materials, conditions, weightratios, process parameters and the like recited herein.

EXAMPLE 1 Pesticidal Effects of Plant Essential Oils in Food Cartonsagainst the Mold Mite

[0038] Various plant essential oils were successfully screened forcontact toxicity against the mold mite These plant essential oils werethen evaluated in food cartons for toxicity against mold mites. Halfpint milk cartons were used as sample food containers. The compositionof the carton is multilayer paper, plastic and foil. The last two innerlayers are foil and plastic; the food inside the carton is in contactwith the plastic. Utilizing a ULV sprayer, the plant essential oils werefogged into the container. Approximately one gram of liquid testsubstance (i.e. plant essential oil) was deposited into the container.The desired amount of food and approximately 100 mites per carton werethen added to the container and the carton was sealed. The materialstested included 2-phenyl ethyl alcohol, 2-phenyl ethyl propionate,trans-anethole, and benzyl alcohol. The cartons were opened at 24 hourintervals, a new carton each interval, to observe for pest mortality andthe results were recorded.

[0039] 2-phenyl ethyl alcohol and 2-phenyl ethyl propionate gave goodcontrol of the mites from day one, and all samples tested gave goodcontrol after day four.

[0040] The experiment was repeated, but the cartons were not openeduntil day ten. The results were the same as the previous study. Allsamples gave good control, but 2-phenyl ethyl alcohol and 2-phenyl ethylpropionate provided the best results of mortality.

[0041] This data clearly demonstrates that plant essential oils may beused as a safe and effective alternative pesticide for control of mitesin containers and/or cartons for stored food products.

[0042] As can be seen from the above discussion, the pesticidalcombinations of active compounds according to the present invention aremarkedly superior to known pesticidal agents/active compoundsconventionally used for pest control in stored food product containersand/or cartons.

[0043] Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have beendescribed in detail, it is to be understood that the present inventionis not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various changesand modifications can be effected therein by one skilled in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as definedby the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A contact pesticidal composition for the controlof mites comprising, in admixture with an acceptable carrier, at leastone plant essential oil compound or derivative thereof.
 2. Thepesticidal composition of claim 1, wherein the plant essential oil orderivative thereof, comprises a monocyclic, carbocyclic ring structurehaving six-members and substituted by at least one oxygenated orhydroxyl functional moiety.
 3. The pesticidal composition of claim 1wherein the plant essential oil compounds or derivatives thereof areselected from the group consisting of aldehyde C16 (pure), α-terpineol,amyl cinnamic aldehyde, amyl salicylate, anisic aldehyde, benzylalcohol, benzyl acetate, cinnamaldehyde, cinnamic alcohol, carvacrol,carveol, citral, citronellal, citronellol, pcymene, diethyl phthalate,dimethyl salicylate, dipropylene glycol, eucalyptol (cineole) eugenol,iso-eugenol, galaxolide, geraniol, guaiacol, ionone, menthol, methylanthranilate, methyl ionone, methyl salicylate, α-phellandrene,pennyroyal oil perillaldehyde, 1- or 2-phenyl ethyl alcohol, 1- or2-phenyl ethyl propionate, piperonal, piperonyl acetate, piperonylalcohol, D-pulegone, terpinen-4-ol, terpinyl acetate, 4-tertbutylcyclohexyl acetate, thyme oil, thymol, metabolites oftrans-anethole, vanillin, and ethyl vanillin.
 4. A fumigant pesticidalcomposition for the control of mites comprising, in admixture with anacceptable carrier, at least one plant essential oil compound orderivative thereof.
 5. The pesticidal composition of claim 4, whereinthe plant essential oil or derivative thereof, comprises a monocyclic,carbocyclic ring structure having six-members and substituted by atleast one oxygenated or hydroxyl functional moiety.
 6. The pesticidalcomposition of claim 4 wherein the plant essential oil compounds orderivatives thereof are selected from the group consisting of aldehydeC16 (pure), α-terpineol, amyl cinnamic aldehyde, amyl salicylate, anisicaldehyde, benzyl alcohol, benzyl acetate, cinnamaldehyde, cinnamicalcohol, carvacrol, carveol, citral, citronellal, citronellol, pcymene,diethyl phthalate, dimethyl salicylate, dipropylene glycol, eucalyptol(cineole) eugenol, iso-eugenol, galaxolide, geraniol, guaiacol, ionone,menthol, methyl anthranilate, methyl ionone, methyl salicylate,α-phellandrene, pennyroyal oil perillaldehyde, 1- or 2-phenyl ethylalcohol, 1- or 2-phenyl ethyl propionate, piperonal, piperonyl acetate,piperonyl alcohol, D-pulegone, terpinen-4-ol, terpinyl acetate, 4-tertbutylcyclohexyl acetate, thyme oil, thymol, metabolites oftrans-anethole, vanillin, and ethyl vanillin.
 7. A method forcontrolling mites in stored food products, which comprises applying tothe locus where control is desired a pesticidally-effective amount ofthe composition of claim 1.